dentist redux

You may remember that in the middle of several tooth crises, I took leave of my old dentist last fall because he was both going crazy and driving me crazy. It was a painful decision, but I've been very happy with my new dentist -- the one-stop shopping (so far) for all my care, the good laughs, and the absence of lying awake at night dreading going to the dentist.

When I left my former dentist, I wrote him a letter and contacted my hygienest, Leslie, by e-mail. Leslie let me know that her boss was having a very difficult time medically. Eventually, I heard through the grapevine that he'd stepped away from the practice.

A few mornings ago, I ran into Leslie at the local coffee shop. She told me that the dentist has been through successful surgery and is back at work, much recovered. She hugged me repeatedly and told me how much she misses me. She teared up several times. She told me that she understood why I left, but she needed to reassure herself that she and her colleagues are good people. How sad.

Of course, I'm not even the slightest bit tempted to go back.

I gave her my card and suggested getting together, perhaps for coffee. But I really need to leave it in her hands because she is in a far more uncomfortable situation than I am. I hope I hear from her but am trying to limit my expectations, at least not right now.